April 10, 2020-Chapter 4: "Peter's Repentance- Question 5

QUESTION: 5

Read John 21:17. What was it that finally transformed Peter to truly serve his Lord, Jesus? What was it that Peter had to finally fully grasp in himself that made the change in him? (Page 43)

ANSWER To Question 5 (As stated by the Author)

Now Peter was prepared for deliverance from self, and that is my last thought. You know Christ took him with others to the footstool of the throne, and bade them wait there; and then on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came, and Peter was a changed man. I do not want you to think only of the change in Peter, in that boldness, and that power, and that insight into the Scriptures, and that blessing with which he preached that day. Thank God for that. But there was something for Peter deeper and better. Peter's whole nature was changed. The work that Christ began in Peter when He looked upon him, was perfected when he was filled with the Holy Spirt.

The great lesson we learn about Peter's conversion is first Peter had to come to recognize that he was full of himself. He had to come to full and absolute surrender of every part of himself to Jesus. And then as he surrendered all to Jesus, Jesus sent the Holy Spirt to take full control of Peter and to be used mightily for God's work, not Peter's work.

My prayer for everyone who comes to understand the process of our surrender to our Lord, is that as we surrender, we stay humble at the feet of Jesus, being in His Word daily, confessing daily our self-will before Him and then allow Him to lead us to fulfill His work in us. (Ephesians 2:10) For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works....)